.com Wrestlemania 17 may go down as the biggest, most lucrative Pay-Per-View in 2001, but as far as quality goes, many wrestling fans will tell you it was No Way Out, a mere month before Wrestlemania, that showcased the best wrestling of the year. Rarely can a three-hour Pay-Per-View hold your attention throughout, without any down time, but the action-packed NWO does just that. WWF's writers worked up enough soap opera drama to make each of these matches interesting. Whether it's the ultimate cat fight for "female domination" in the WWF, between Stephanie and Trish Stratus, the Rock trying to regain the WWF Championship from a whiny Kurt Angle, or Jerry "the King" Lawler fighting for the Right for Nudity against Steven Richards, NWO never lets up. The culmination of a great evening is the brutal, exhausting, nearly 40-minute battle between Stone Cold Steve Austin and "the Game" Triple H. The men have generated the sickest feud in federation history, and it all comes to a head in a two-out-of-three-falls match. The first fall is a typical one-on-one match; the second is an anything-goes street fight match; and the third takes place in a steel cage. In what should go down as one of the nastiest, liveliest matches in history, both men give the fans everything they have. In a rarity, so does the WWF with this PPV. --Dave McCoy
R**E
Solid - Need I Say More?
There was a lot going on with WWF. The Monday Night Wars ended almsot a year before. The WCW/ECW Alliance had been vanquished. Ric Flair returned to the WWF. And the least likely of champions was a miserable wreck whose insecurities drove him to succeed, and tick fans off in the process.There's a lot going on with this PPV, too. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley just ended their TV relationship. WWF "co-owners" Ric Flair and Vince McMahon made each other's lives a living hell. And one of them in a desparate act brought back the New World Order.**************************************************First off, the nWo comes out to kick off the show. I'm not gonna get into the debate of whether bringing this faction to the Fed was good or not. But I will say that Hollywood Hogan, Scott Hall, & Kevin Nash cut a promo that was surprising & heartfelt, even though their speeches proved false by th4 PPV's end. Nothing great, but still worth the airtime.----------------------------------1) Tag Team TurmoilScotty 2 Hotty & Albert v. Christian & Lance Stormv. The Hardy Boyz v. The Dudley Boyz v. Billy & Chuck v. The APA---The stipulation here was that the winners would get a shot at the Tag Titles for WRESTLEMANIA X-8. Although this eventually became hogwash (four of these teams ended up in the 'MANIA match), this opener remains an exciting kickoff. What you want from matches like these are fast-paced action, a variety of performances, and good time length. You get all of that here. Each team puts on a good show yet loses (or wins) in a believable fashion."7.5 / 10"----------------------------------2) Goldust v. Rob Van Dam---These two men are as creative and innovative with their in-ring talents as any other WWE superstar. Both men utiltized intersting counters, and couple of "OUCH!" moves. Frankly, I don't understand why some reviewers aren't into this one. The Milwaukee crowd seemed to be into the match. No, this isn't the greatest match I've ever seen. But it's as solid as a rock, and one of the most underrated PPV contests in recent memory."7.0 / 10"----------------------------------3) Tag Team ChampionshipsBooker T & Test v. Tazz & Spike Dudley (champions)---Okay, let's call a spade "a spade". This match is as dull as it looks on paper. I've never been a huge Tazz or Spike fan, which doesn't help. I mean, I can't stomach how this combo ever won a match together. Booker T & Test make a good team, and I wish I got to see them work more. But the problem is that either the champs are getting beaten mercilessly, or pull off unbelievable feats out of nowhere. Because the match is kept to a fairly quick pace, it's never boring. Just don't expect a believable match."5.5 / 10"----------------------------------4) Brass-Knux-On-A-Pole MatchIntercontinental ChampionshipEdge v. William Regal (champion)---The third consecutive PPV showing between these two, and easily the best. I'm not a fan of their VENGEANCE showdown, but their ROYAL RUMBLE match was very good. When Regal was healthy, he came up with unique, sitff offense that I loved. And Edge...is there anything I need to say? He's always been great, but 2002 was his best year to date. Even Matt Hardy admits that he's an excellent in-ring performer. Both men use some traditional ground grappling, and eventually some "pole psychology". There are especially a lot of apron spots, too. This is a good example of a slow burn, where you get a tad exhausted just watching the wrestlers work. This match is so good, it might increase Regal's seemingly small fan base."7.5 / 10"----------------------------------5) The Undertaker v. The Rock---To my complete surprise, I was incredibly bored with this one. Taker was a terrific heel because he was just a bullying S.O.B., and The Rock continued to use more than his signature moves. But something was just off this time. Maybe it was because the fight was too wild for its own good. Rock & Taker brawl all over ringside, which I usually don't care for. And when they're in the ring, Taker dominates most of the time. I dunno, maybe I need to rewatch this one again. But I'm not looking forward to it. And what's with Taker's Limp Bizkit song being edited out of the DVD? Aren't they "The WWE's Favorite Band?""5.5 / 10"----------------------------------6) Winner Goes To WRESTLEMANIA X-8Guest Referee - Stephanie McMahon-HelmsleyKurt Angle v. Triple H---Again, this event isn't good for the reasons I expected. I expected this to be a classic among classics. The last time these three were in a storyline (2000), we got to see some excellent matches. But this time, I liked what I saw, but didn't love it. HHH & Angle complement each other very well, and Stephanie's role as a refere never get boring. There are so many ways this one could've gone wrong, but these three avoid them. Where they slip up is putting on a classic they're capable. You see all of the signature moves, the counters, and the guest referee spots...but there's not much originality in any of it. The only original aspect of the match was the finish, but WWF dropped the ball with that days later. Don't get me wrong: this is a good match, but Angle & HHH have done better."7.0 / 10"----------------------------------7) Undisputed WWF ChampionshipStone Cold Steve Austin v. Chris Jericho (champion)---Just as good (and crazy) as the VENGEANCE main event that catapulted Jericho into WWE history. Sadly, many fans (myself included) didn't appreciate what an honor it was to see Y2J carry the ball. He was ahead of his time, but if you give this DVD a look, you'll see just how good he was. Anyone who's read my reviews knows I'm not a big fan of Steve Austin, but I could watch him face Chris Jericho any time of day. One of Austin's greatest matches was his 1st title win against Shawn Michaels; well, Jericho is a lot like HBK, so do the math. What you'll probably remember most about the match (besides nWo interfering) is how much these two guys chop each other. Even J.R. & Lawler can't believe how much damage is done to both men's chests. But I digress, this main event is good enough to erase any disappointments I might have with the PPV."7.5 / 10"----------------------------------This PPV is a solid card from beginning to end. All the promos, interviews, and backstage shenanigans work. All the storylines make sense. And all the matches tell their stories well. Granted, I didn't care for a few of the stories (underdog Tag champs, for example), but my quibbles are a matter of personal taste. NO WAY OUT 2002 is definitely worth buying if you haven't seen it yet.DVD Note - Why in the world are the entrance themes for RVD, Tazz, & Undertaker changed?
A**N
20th anniversary of the greatest PPV
best PPV of 2002 for the final ppv under WWF for february before WRESTLEMANIA X8 β18β.
S**.
WWF No Way Out 2001: Austin vs. Triple H
WWF No Way Out 2001Las Vegas, NevadaNo Way Out was one of the WWE's best ppv's of 2001!!!!1. WWF Hardcore ChampionshipBig Show vs. Raven (C)This was a decent hardcore match, lots of title changes though but the Big Show is the one left standing.Winner: Big Show 3/52. WWF Intercontinental ChampionshipChris Jericho (C) vs. Chris Benoit vs. X-Pac vs. Eddie GuerreroGood but not great fatal four way. All four men does a great performance.Winner: Chris Jericho 4/53. Trish Stratus vs. Stephanie McMahon-HelmsleyIn my opinion this was one of the best divas matches in some time. this also had a decent rivalry. The spanking on Trish is funny. match diffantly worth watching a couple of times.Winner: Stephanie McMahon 3.5/54. Best 2-out-of-3 Falls MatchStone Cold Steve Austin vs. Triple H1st Fall: Pin Fall Only- This was a great 1st fall. Very fierce and good brawling. Stone Cold wins the fall with the Stone Cold Stunner. 4/52nd Fall: Street Fight- This was a great street fight much like their match at Survivor Series 2000 but this one has an ending.Also a 2x4 wrapped in barbed wire that makes an appearance Triple H gets backdrop through the table but comes back to win with the pedigree after hitting Austin with the sledge hammer. Great Fall best of the three. 4.5/53rd Fall: Steel Cage Match- This wasn't the best steel cage match and most likely because it was the third fall. Lots of weapons are left in the cage and Austin and Triple H takes a advantage of them. The ending is right too with Triple H falling on Austin to win after both men hitting each other with the sledge hammer(Triple H) and a 2x4 wrapped in barb wire (Austin). 3.5/5Winner: Triple H 5/55. WWF Tag Team ChampionshipTriple Threat Table MatchEdge & Christian vs. The Dudleyz (C) vs. The Brothers of DestructionAlright tables match Kane and Taker due much of the work until Rikishi and Haku interfers. Christain gets 3D through the table.Winner: The Dudley Boys 3/56. WWF ChampionshipThe Rock vs. Kurt Angle (C)This is the one on one rematch for the title that the Rock never got until now. This match was very good not as good as their No Mercy match but very watchable. It took 2 Rock Bottoms to put Angle away and The Rock was on the road to WM 17 to face Stone Cold.Winner: The Rock 4/5Overall i give No Way Out a 4/5.
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